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Dogfighting Ring Busted In Baltimore

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BALTIMORE (WJZ) — A dogfighting ring was busted in West Baltimore. Now police are searching for the dog’s owners.

Adam May has more.

The dogs are in quarantine, getting medical treatment.

Six pit bull terriers, some with obvious scars and injuries from fighting, were rescued from a West Baltimore home on Lafayette Street.

“When I first came in, she came at me, coming to the door,” said Deputy Bernard Wright, Baltimore City Sheriff’s Office.

Wright made the discovery during an eviction notification.

“To see that they’ve been abused, it’s a shame,” Wright said.

One dog was chained to the stairs. Others were found in cages without food or water, some locked in a basement. They’re now at BARCS, the city animal shelter.

“Two definitely have been fought, one recently because of bite wounds on his head. So they’ve been through quite a turmoil in their lives and the youngest one is a sweet young puppy and thankfully he got out of that situation,” said Debra Rahl, BARCS.

One dog didn’t want to get close to people. She’s been bred numerous times. The location of her puppies is unknown.

“Obviously a priority of the administration is to pursue violent offenders and bad guys with guns. That does not mean these cases go unnoticed,” said Kevin Brown, Baltimore City Police.

Hours after police launched their investigation, WJZ saw someone at the home peeking out a window, then shut off the lights.

“The investigation is still preliminary,” Brown said.

For now, the dogs are locked up, facing an uncertain future. BARCS isn’t sure all of the dogs will be adoptable, so rescue groups may be called in for rehabilitation.

It’s dollar adoption month at BARCS, which is currently full of other dogs and cats.